There was a marked increase in intrahepatic gene expression of TGF-β1 (P = 0.0002), leptin receptor mRNA (P = 0.0016), and its protein (P < 0.05) in patients with NASH. A strong correlation was shown between leptin receptor gene expression and TGF-β1 gene expression (P = 0.023). The gene discussed is LEPR; the disease is metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis.